The Honda Fit is a five-door hatchback subcompact car, manufactured by the Honda Motor Company of Japan, first introduced in June 2001 and now in its second generation. The Fit uses Honda's Global Small Car platform, also used by the City/Fit Aria, Airwave, Mobilio, and the Mobilio Spike.
The nameplate Jazz is used in Europe, some parts of Asia, Australia, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa - while retaining the name "Fit" in Japan, China, and the Americas.
First generation
Although the Honda Fit is now one of Honda’s global models, it experienced a very slow progression as it made its way around the world. The car first debuted in June 2001 in Japan. It was then introduced to Europe (early 2002), Australia (late 2002), South America (early 2003), South Africa and South-East Asia (mid 2003), China (mid 2004), and Mexico (late 2005).
A production model for the United States and Canadian markets debuted on January 8, 2006 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The car was released in Canada on April 3, 2006, and in the U.S. on April 20, 2006. Due to its late introduction in Canada and the US, the first generation Fit was replaced after only three model years by a new 2009 model, which was released for Japan in November 2007 as a 2008 model. Thus, the Fit is an exception to other Honda models sold in Canada and the US, which traditionally have 4 or 5-year model cycles. This reset is to ensure that the 2009 Fit and subsequent iterations will maintain the same platforms worldwide.
Honda originally intended to name the car "Fitta", but shortened the name in some markets, and renamed it completely in others, upon discovering that in several Nordic languages, "fitta" is a popular slang word for "vulva".
Models
The Fit is sold in 6 variations. All Fit/Jazz models throughout the world utilize one of 7 or more distinct codes. They are found in the vehicle’s identification number (VIN):
- GD1: 1.3 L L13A I4 engine 2WD
- GD2: 1.3 L L13A I4 engine 4WD (Japan only)
- GD3: 1.5 L L15A I4 engine 2WD
- GD4: 1.5 L L15A I4 engine 2WD (Canada and United States only)
- GD5: 1.5 L L15A I4 engine 4WD (Japan only)
- GD6: 1.2 L L12A I4 engine 2WD (Europe only)
- GE3: 1.4 L L13A I4 engine 2WD (2007 UK model. Made in China)
Drivetrain
Depending on the region, the Fit is equipped with either a 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4 liter i-DSI engine, or a 1.5 liter VTEC engine. All four engines are based on Honda’s L-series engine family. The 8-valve i-DSI (intelligent dual and sequential) engines use two spark plugs per cylinder, allowing gasoline to burn more completely; therefore, fuel consumption and emissions are reduced while maximum torque at mid-range rpm is maintained. The 1.5 L VTEC engine has the typical 16-valve configuration.
Honda Fit's L-series of engines also provides the castings and reciprocating mass for Honda Marine’s 75 and 90 horsepower (67 kW) outboard motors, the BF75 and the BF90.
The engines are mated to a 5-speed manual, 5-speed automatic, or Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), depending on the region (CVT not offered in United States). Two forms of the CVT are offered: the regular, and the CVT-7. The CVT-7 offers a smooth, continuous flow of power, or seven simulated "gears" controlled by paddle shifters on the steering column.
Hybrid electric
In 2007 it was rumored that a hybrid electric variant of the Fit/Jazz was being developed. Later, Honda's CEO, Takeo Fukui, said that this was not true and there were no plans to develop a hybrid powertrain. However, in August 2008 it was mentioned in a New York Times article that Honda would be producing a hybrid Fit. Additionally, a mid-year announcement from Honda's CEO confirmed the reality of a hybrid drivetrain.
In October 2008, Honda revealed a Jazz hybrid .
Platform
The Fit uses Honda's Global Small Car platform, which is also used by the Fit Aria/City (a sedan version of the Fit), the Airwave (a wagon version of the Fit Aria/City), the Mobilio, and the Mobilio Spike. One of the characteristics of the Fit, which is also present in the Fit Aria and Airwave, is the location of the fuel tank. Rather than placing it under the rear seats, it is located under the front seats, thereby freeing up valuable room in the back. It also allows for a seating configuration marketed by Honda as the "Magic Seat" system ("ULTR seat" in Japan) with five distinct seating modes:
- Normal: seats are in their normal position with seating for five.
- Utility: Either section (or both) of the 60:40 split rear seat sink down into the rear foot well as the rear seat back is lowered forward. This offers a low, perfectly flat surface that increases the cargo area substantially.
- Long: The rear seat behind the passenger folds down similar to utility mode, but the front passenger seat folds backward, leaving an area that can hold items as long as 2.4 meters (7.9 ft).
- Tall: Either section (or both) of the rear seat cushion fold up against the rear seat back, allowing for an area of 1.28 meters (4.2 ft) in height.
- Refresh: With the headrest of the front seat removed, the front seat back can be folded down to form a lounge-style sitting area.
Production
The Fit is produced in 5 factories throughout the world. Suzuka (Japan), Sumaré (Brazil), Guangzhou (China), Ayutthaya (Thailand), and Karawang (Indonesia). Models produced in Japan are for Honda's home market as well as export to Europe, some Asian markets, Canada and the United States. Models in Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam are produced in Thailand. The Brazilian factory supplies all of Latin America and the Caribbean. Chinese models are sold in mainland China and also exported to some left hand drive European markets, while Jazz models in Hong Kong are made in Japan. Honda is considering producing the Honda Fit in North America in response to the increasing strength of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar.
Regions
The Fit is marketed in different ways and has different characteristics throughout the world, depending on which region it is sold in.
Japan
Two engines (1.3 i-DSI and 1.5 VTEC) were initially offered, each with a number of trim lines ranging from the basic "Y" to the sporty "S". The 1.3 L i-DSI was available with only the regular CVT automatic. 1.5 L VTEC models are available with either the 5-speed manual, or the CVT-7, but manual is available only FWD models. Unique to the Japanese market, the Fit is also available in 4WD. Starting at a price of about JPY1,123,000 is the basic 1.3Y model. At the top of the range is the 1.5W four wheel drive version for JPY1,743,000. A bewildering range of options and accessories are available at most levels, including Honda's HDD GPS Navigation System with its 6.5-inch (170 mm) color screen. This system incorporates TV and FM radio.
Japanese sales of the Fit exceeded the original sales target of 8,000 units on debut. By December 2001, it had outsold the Toyota Corolla, and it ranked first in sales for nine out of twelve months in 2002. The new generation Honda Fit had its debut at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show in October 2007.
The second generation has been the top selling car in Japan since its official launch in November 2007.
Europe
Like Japan, the European market also has two engines available. The European-only 1.2 i-DSI is offered as the base model in many countries, and can only be purchased with a 5-speed manual transmission. The 1.4 i-DSI is identical to the 1339 cc 1.3 i-DSI sold in Japan, but marketed as a 1.4 L to differentiate it from the smaller 1.2 L engine (ironically, at 1244 cc, it is closer to 1.3 L than the bigger one is to 1.4 L). 1.4 L models start out well-equipped with the 5-speed manual standard and the CVT-7 available as an option.
All European models have ABS with disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes or disc brakes on the rear ones. Side airbags are standard on some high end models.
The car has a good reputation in Europe with the UK's biggest automotive survey, performed by the motoring show Top Gear , revealing that the Honda Jazz was the second best vehicle on UK roads (after the Honda S2000), as voted by UK car owners in 2006. The enormous popularity of the Jazz has made it Honda's best-selling model in the region, comprising 30% of all European Honda sales. Top Gear also went so far as to state that Honda Jazz (along with the Toyota Yaris) is the closest to reality car that money can buy, meaning that a Honda Jazz can cover the majority of the automotive needs that man has today.
China
The Fit (Hatchback) went on sale in China in September 22, 2004. The City (sedan) went on sale roughly a year earlier, in September 28, 2003. The trims are similar to that in Japan: with the combination of 1.3 i-DSL, 1.5 VTEC, 5-speed manual, and CVT, there are 4 models in total.
United States and Canada
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